In Spades

Style... in abundance

How to Style Knee High Boots

Labor Day has come and gone, the temps are dropping.  Fall is here.

If you’ve been reading In Spades for a while, you know that fall is my favorite season for fashion.  I adore boots, chunky sweaters, leather jackets and lots and lots of denim.

Knee high boots have always been a closet staple IMO, but the last few seasons have really solidified their place on the fashion map.

I have a pretty particular opinion about how to style knee high boots (#sorrynotsorry).  Here are my tips for rocking a pair for fall.

Pair with dresses, skirts or wide leg pants only

A Part of the Rest vintage dressYou will NEVER catch me wearing a pair of knee high or OTK boots with skinny jeans or leggings.  This is a very unpopular opinion, but trust me when I say the chicest way to rock a pair of knee highs is with nothing else going on with your legs.

The boots need to shine.  Don’t over complicate things by pairing a layer underneath.

Knee high boots look amazing when they are slightly covered up with a layer OVER them.  Think midi skirts or wide leg cropped culottes.

Remember proportions

Wool CulottesKeep it chic by adding juxtaposition to your look.  If you’re wearing knee high boots with a mini skirt, you need a chunky sweater or long trench coat on top.

Pairing your knee highs with a midi skirt or culottes?  Opt for a cropped tee.

Both options create a visually appealing balance.

Experiment with TCP

Bermuda shorts suitTexture.  Color.  Print.

If there were ever a time to wear suede boots, it’s definitely in the form of a knee high.  I LOVE a slouchy knee high boot!

Color-wise my advice is to stick with metallic.  Technically a neutral, but definitely in the color category thanks to the shine factor.

I’ve seen some fun prints on knee high boots, but the ultimate choice IMO is snakeskin.

All of the above step outside the box just enough to be memorable, but are still versatile enough to interchange with lots of items in your closet.  It’s all about the cost per wear!

Which leads me to my final point.

Keep it Simple

Beaufille Pasiphae CorsetKnee high boots are already SUCH a statement.  Take Coco Chanel’s advice and remove (multiple) accessories before leaving the house – you’ve got enough going on with your feet.  You don’t need adornment everywhere.

The same goes for layers.  Layers look great with knee high boots, but keep the color palette monochrome if so.

Knee High Boots I’m Loving

How to Style Sequins for the Holidays

How to Style Sequins for the HolidaysHow to Style Sequins for the Holidays How to Style Sequins for the Holidays How to Style Sequins for the Holidays How to Style Sequins for the Holidays How to Style Sequins for the HolidaysHow to Style Sequins for the HolidaysGround Zero Leo sweater // W Concept sequins skirt (similar here)
J. Crew earrings (similar here) // Manolo Blahnik boots (similar here)

Only two more weeks until Christmas, you guys!

Last week I talked about how to style vintage for the holidays.  This week I want to dive into another holiday favorite: sequins.  Most of you probably have something sequins in your closet.  If I had to guess, it’s likely a dress or a skirt.  So today I’m sharing my take for how to style sequins for the holidays.  In two words: edgy glam.

With sequins I think there’s a tendency to go gah-gah-glam – and I love that!  Today I want to show you something a bit edgier.  This jacquard Leonardo DiCaprio sweater gives my look a street style vibe that I love.  The fact that it captures him at the height of my obsession (hello Romeo + Juliet) is even better.  Paired with OTK boots, statement earrings and a shimmery, smokey eye I’m feeling glamorous and pretty badass.

To re-create the look, opt for a graphic tee like this one.  If sweet Leo isn’t your vibe, try a vintage band tee, or this cheeky option.  Notice how it’s styled with a sequin skirt in the promo photo?  Edgy glam for the win!

With a sequins party on the bottom and a street style vibe on the top, I definitely recommend boots over heels to ground the look.  Too many people pair OTK boots with jeans IMHO.  My favorite way to style OTK boots is under midi skirts or dresses.  It elongates the leg and gives off a sophisticated flair without being stuffy.  My pair is old, but I’ve linked some great options below.

For more holiday sequins, I’ve partnered with some of my best blogger babes to give you additional style inspo.

Check out how Kara Loves Coco styled her sequins skirt – so glam!  And I love the bold take Jenna from Lucky Little Mustard Seed took.  Paulina from Lil Bits of Chic is pure sophistication and Conni from Art in the Find shares amazing style hacks for this holiday staple.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more inspiration including styling tips from these babes!

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Vintage Holiday Style

A Part of the Rest vintage dress A Part of the Rest vintage dress A Part of the Rest vintage dress A Part of the Rest vintage dress A Part of the Rest vintage dress A Part of the Rest vintage dress A Part of the Rest vintage dressA Part of the Rest vintage dress // Fendi handbag // Quay sunglasses (25% off)
Manolo Blahnik boots (similar here 40% off)

If you’re like me, from now until the end of the year your schedule is packed with holiday parties, events and celebrations.  While it’s easy to fall back on a great LBD, I’m much more excited about velvet, sequins and vintage pieces.

I’ve shown you my take on velvet, and next week I’ll be sharing multiple ways you can wear sequins.  Today I wanted to focus on vintage.  What I love about vintage fashion is that you can pretty much guarantee you will be wearing something no one else has.  Plus, with fashion being so cyclical, clothing from eras past is actually totally on trend.

This 80’s mini dress with electric rose print is reminiscent of early Marc Jacobs.  The shoulder pads and cutout back give it so much attitude.  My philosophy when styling this look was “go big or go home”, so of course my Monster handbag and diva boots had to come out to play.

These boots were actually the star of one of my very first blog posts.  You can read the story about how they came into my life here.  While they’re old, I’ve linked two similar pairs below; one for under $80 and one for under $200.

But back to vintage!

I’ve talked before about my favorite places to shop vintage (surprise, they’re all in New York).  In the last year, I came across online shop A Part of the Rest and was blown away by their accessible price points, and the amazing eye of owner Kam.  There are so many fun pieces on the site right now that would be perfect for the holidays.

I’m dying over this sequins Missoni dress, this 90s Calvin Klein robe coat, and this 80s drape back tunic dress.  The best part, all of these pieces are under $250.

Definitely check out A Part of the Rest for rad vintage items and give them a follow on Instagram where they do secret sales via Stories.  I guarantee you’ll find a treasure trove of fashion.

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Photos by White Tee Black Dress